If you watch Hart of Dixie you’ll know that Zoe Hart’s favorite cookie
in the whole world is the black and white cookie from Zabars in New York
City. I have never actually tried the cookie from Zabars, but when I
was going through one of my mums cookbooks I found a copycat recipe and
had to share it (especially with the Hart of Dixie fans). The cookie is a
cake-like lemon cookie and perfect to eat while watching Zoe and Wade’s
romance heat up.

How To: Make Cake Flour1 cup of all-purpose flour minus two tablespoons and two tablespoons of cornstarch added. Be sure to whisk together. Make more as needed 1 cup at a time.

Directions
1. Sift together flours, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add milk and whisk to
combine. Whisk in melted butter and extracts (or zest). Add flour mixture and
stir to form smooth dough.
3. Cover and chill for one hour (no less and no more)
4. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and drop dough by desired size.
Baked until edges are light brown. I used a one-inch cookie scoop and baked for
7 minutes. Time will vary based on size so keep an eye on your first batch.
5. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
6. When cool in a small bowl combine powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons whole milk
and corn syrup. Whisk until smooth. Ice half of each cookie and return to rack
to drip. Add chocolate to remaining icing, stirring until smooth. Add
additional corn syrup to thin to desired consistency if needed. Spread chocolate
icing over other half of cookie and allow to dry.

Ivanka Trump is kind of the Kate Middleton of the United
States. She’s the girl we dream to be. Lavished in diamonds and all the best
designers, but just because we can’t be her doesn’t mean we cannot take some
pointers from Ivanka’s style. Her wardrobe is filled with neutral pieces paired
with an accessory to make a statement, most often a pair of earrings. Recreate here "it" girl glow with these tips. What do
you think about Ivanka is she one of your go-to “it” girl styles?

The week may have began on a scary note leaving me thankful
note that my dad is such a top-notch driver, and was able to safely get us out
of the dangerous snowsqualls that took over the expressway. While the week
ended on an exciting note…. with Jack. This weekend I am at my parents working
on some projects and recipes with my mum. What are you up to this weekend?

I’m the type of girl that still dots the “I” in her name
with a heart. So you can imagine how excited I am when Valentine’s Day
approaches and there are tons of heart items (and pink too!) in the store. Here
you will find a few of my current favorite heart items from Tibi to Tiffany.

Frankenmuth, is Michigan’s little Bavaria. It’s a place of
horse-drawn carriages, covered bridges, riverboat cruises, and world famous
chicken. While you can dine upstairs in Zehnders enjoying their world famous
chicken, you don’t want to miss out on visiting downstairs for one of my
favorite treats…Rosettes. Rosettes are a delicate crisp and tender pastry.

Directions
1. Add salt, sugar and vanilla to eggs.
2. Add ½ cup milk and all of the flour. Then add remaining ½ cup milk, stirring
(do not beat).
3. If foamy, let set. Place oil and mold in fryer and heat to 385 degrees (keep
hot during entire process)
4. Shake excess oil off iron and touch iron on paper towel to absorb oil.
5. Dip hot iron into batter, almost to the top, but not over the top of iron.
6. Tilt to side when removing from batter to avoid drips.
7. Place in hot oil. When rosette holds its shape remove the iron and allow to
brown, then turn over to brown opposite side.
8. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel covered newspaper.

No matter what the time of year is you don’t have to spend a
lot in order to have beautiful, fresh flowers around the house. Think beyond
the elaborate bouquets and instead purchase one type of flower that is in
season (I just bought a dozen tulips for six dollars), or buy something such as
carnations that typically sell for about five dollars a dozen year round. When
flowers are bunched together tightly and placed into a small vase the outcome
is chic and stylish.

This week went by unnaturally fast for a week that started in the high 50's and ended in the teens with snow. On a positive note my parents are coming to visit. I can't wait to explore the city a bit with them, work on crafts with my mum and discuss paint and decorating ideas with my dad. What are your weekend plans?

1. Curl up in front of the
fireplace (a lot of hotels have fireplaces if you do not).
2. Take a winter wonderland walk through nature.
3. Build a snowman.
4. Make a batch of hot chocolate (my favorite recipe).
5. Take a horse drawn sleigh or carriage ride.
6. Go ice-skating.
7. Paint pictures in the snow (mix food coloring with water in a spray bottle).
8. Take snowboarding r skiing lessons.
9. Bake a batch of cookies (I love these, these,these, and these).
10. Make snow angels.
11. Learn how to knit or crochet a scarf.
12. Go sledding or tubing.
13. Snowshoe through a wooded area.
14. Make a pot of your favorite soup.
15. Snuggle under a blanket and watch your favorite movie while enjoying some
sweet treats.
16. Take a bubble bath.
17. Make a blanket (this one is simple)
18. Go to a new restaurant or order in.
19. Find a winter carnival to go to.
20. Simmer some potpourri on the stove giving your house new ambiance (try my fall/winter or spring/summer simmering potpourri).

Around Christmas time I showed you how to make this candle using left over candle wax. Another simple way to use left over wax is by creating a layered candle. For the candle below I used left over wax from the following brands: Yankee Candle, Slatkin & Co. and Kohls. The wax was placed in a mason jar (you can use whatever you’d like). IMPORTANT: Be sure to allow the wax to cool completely between layers.

Step 1: Melt your left over wax in a pot with water.

Step 2: Dip your wick into the wax and insert it into the bottom center of your jar. Allow to cool completely before you add your first layer of wax. After adding the first layer of wax I used skewers to keep the wick straight.

Step 3: Once cooled pour in your next layer.Note: I usually do the layers as I finish candles and at the end of the month I have a new candle.

Step 4: Repeat step three until you fill to your desired height. Note: Leave 3/4 to one inch of space between the wax and the top of the jar. Remember to cut your wick before lighting.

With temperatures dropping into the teens this week it presented the prefect opportunity for me to make a batch of my mums hot chocolate. In my opinion on a frigid day nothing is better than coming in and warming up with a cup of hot cocoa. I recommend adding a candy cane for the best peppermint cocoa you’ve ever had.

Pantone has announced that Tangerine Tango is out and the new IT-color for 2013 is Emerald. Despite that fact that I am disappointed with this color selection this jewel-tone can help you channel your inner Duchess. Add the gem to your look via accessories, or your beauty regime, an emerald handbag is a great way to make a statement against a little black dress. Avoid buying a lot of this color unless you are in love - when 2014 rolls around it will be out and hopefully something fab will be in. How do you feel about the color of the year?

This week was filled with plenty of time outside with Jack and cooking up some confections in the kitchen. The weekend is calling for rain so I will be spending some quality time inside working on quilt blocks and doing some baking. What are your weekend plans?